Sheringham to Lowestoft, part two of 100 mile trek for Huntingdon Childrens Charity - Dreamdrops because toys allow kids to be kids whilst in hospital

Dreamdrops aims to make life a little easier when it can be at it's most stressful by providing all those little (and large) extras that are not covered by public funds. The charity's work doesn't just stop at the hospital door, as funds are also used to help sick children cared for at home.

Charity Registration No. 1108920

Story

My son was taken very ill the summer before last. After two weeks of having a normal every day cold , it wouldn't shift it and it turned into sinusitis. He was treated with medication from the doctor as he was in so much pain, however one night he went to bed because his eye was hurting him from the sinusitis and woke the following day with his left eye so purple and swollen he could hardly open it.

He was taken to the doctor and consequently rushed into the hospital where he was admitted for nearly two weeks.

It turns out that the cold had turned into sinusitis which had then in turn turned into orbital cellulitis.He was at a high risk of many complications including blood poisoning, losing his eye, losing his hearing in his left ear or even worse, meningitis. All of this from a common cold and to a normal healthy child

He was hospitalised for nearly two weeks, pumped full of drugs 24 hours a day and had procedures done and thankfully everything was a success.

After spending every day and night by his side and feeling totally helpless I noticed how the little things like the play room toys, games , computers, DVDs and iPads acted as a welcome distraction to not only him but the other children suffering on the ward. It didn't matter if it was a serious infection like my sons or a broken bone or some other condition, these little things were an aid to helping the children, no matter what age or what ailment to just be children for a little bit of time again.

The children could have their own time playing or interact with others and just be normal children without having their 'illness or condition' which brought them into hospital dictate to them. Those precious moments allowed them, whatever they were suffering with to be children again. Whatever a child was admitted onto the ward with seeing how a game on the Wii or watching a dvd or entertaining them with a toy helped relieve the panic, anxiety, loneliness and suffering and made me realise that for any child these things had the same positive effect no matter what the condition.

These play room toys and games and equipment are not budgeted for and so I wanted to do something that could help and be of benefit. I'm not fundraising for a condition or a certain illness, I'm fundraising for those play room toys and games which will help any child whose admitted onto the ward.

On 23rd and 24th July I took part and completed a 2 day sponsored training weekend including a night trek of Mount Snowdon,used to train those attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

I have had various donations to auction off from some very generous and supporting celebrities including the great UB40 & Jen at Trinifold management as well as Liverpool FC, I also had Elaine at a local coffee shop Harris & Hoole running my just giving page as their focus and raised extra funds.

In Spring of 2017 I Started a 100 mile coastal trek from Hunstanton to Lowestoft to the most easterly point in Great Britain, However after 56 km I had to stop, at Sheringham due to a reoccurrence of a back injury. In September I will be embarking on the second part of this massive task and walking from Sheringham to Lowestoft along the coastal paths.

I have seen a normal simple every day thing like a common cold nearly cost us dearly, and as helpless as I was , noticing how toys and games can benefit children under many different circumstances had a massive positive impact, so please back me as much as you can for a great worth while cause and help the little ones who need it.

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About the charity

Dreamdrops aims to make life a little easier when it can be at it's most stressful by providing all those little (and large) extras that are not covered by public funds. The charity's work doesn't just stop at the hospital door, as funds are also used to help sick children cared for at home.